Protecting children and youth

An overview of the Archdiocese of Washington’s Office of Child and Youth Protection and Safe Environment

Wednesday, September 05, 2018 3:59 PM

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The following is an overview of the Archdiocese of Washington’s Office of Child and Youth Protection and Safe Environment:

• The office has a licensed clinical
social worker on staff available 24 hours a day to field calls from
survivors, pastors, employees or current victims seeking assistance or
guidance.

• The office works with civil
authorities on reported cases to ensure information has been accurately
and properly disseminated to appropriate parties.

• The office provides on-site trainings
concentrating on the child protection policy and reporting child abuse
protocols to seminarians, priests, school officials, religious education
administrators and school/parent communities. Trainings have included
members of the law enforcement community.

• The office oversees more than 240
child protection coordinators at Catholic parishes and schools to ensure
all community members are compliant with the child protection policy
and have been appropriately screened.

• The office provides on-site visits to
parishes and schools throughout the Archdiocese of Washington to ensure
locations are current with documentation and screening requirements, as
well as, providing clarification on issues that might arise within the
community.

• All members of the Office of Child
Protection are available seven days a week to provide support and
assistance to all members of the Archdiocese of Washington.

• All clergy, religious and lay
employees and volunteers must successfully complete a criminal
background check to work with children. Criminal background re-checks
are conducted monthly.

• All employees must complete an
electronic background check as well as fingerprinting. Volunteers need
to successfully complete an electronic background check. Results must be
posted prior to when individuals are permitted to work with children.

• In 2017, 662 employees were fingerprinted and 4,122 employees and volunteers were electronically background checked.

• All employees, and volunteers must
complete the Virtus safe-environment training class in person.
Additionally, continuing education bulletins are required to be read and
completed by all employees.